Orlando Magic (52-30) vs. Atlanta Hawks (44-38)

Orlando Magic (52-30) vs. Atlanta Hawks (44-38)

Orlando Magic (52-30) vs. Atlanta Hawks (44-38)

This series is going to be a battle of the three-point line and, if it goes like the regular season, the Magic are in trouble. The Magic were a dreadful 19-for-84 from beyond the arc and followed it up with a poor free-throw experience as well. They made 67 out of 101 attempts in four games.

Atlanta was just a tad better making 21 out of 60 attempts from three-point land and struggled at the line (54 for 70), but they held the Magic to 82 points a game. That’s 17 below their season’s average.

The Magic did make an in-season trade and they definitely struggled, but it also allowed a team like Atlanta, whom they dominated in last year’s playoffs, to gain some confidence.

All that said, the Magic has more shot makers and I don’t imagine them shooting this poorly in the series. The Hawks are not the efficient offensive team they were last year and that has affected their best player – Joe Johnson.

This series will be one the best in the first round and home-court advantage will probably be the deciding factor.

The Magic are also a volatile team, leading the league in technical fouls. If I am Atlanta, I would try to light that fuse with physical play in this series. I suspect they will.